The roof surface exhibits a deep trough near scupper through which the roof drains. The roof runoff can’t drain off the roof until it fills and overflows the trough. The trough has been present for months, as evidenced by the… Read More
Category Archives: Wood
What Can We Tell From This Photo? (Case Study 18)
One of my favorite sayings is, “When something doesn’t look quite right, it probably isn’t.” This maxim has served me well, both professionally and personally. Some would probably call it “instinct” or “the subconscious mind.” Whatever it is called it… Read More
What Happens When… There is a Knot in a Truss Web Member?
Here we have a truss web member that is fully fractured. Close examination of the fracture discloses a knot that extends from the top face down to the bottom face, nearly the full width of the member (Figure 1). The… Read More
A Case Study of the Weathering of Treated Lumber
How quickly does treated lumber weather? Here is a photo I took of a picnic table near our office on June 15, 2016 Here is the same table from a similar angle approximately nine months later. The lumber has… Read More
Help!! Anchor Straps
This doesn’t look right, does it? It’s not. The top two straps for the anchor connector for the top of the cast-in-place concrete basement wall were separated, bent flat against the top of the basement wall, wrapped around the sill… Read More
Separation of Wood Truss Plates in a Fire
When examining wood trusses for fire damage there is more to consider than charred members, excessive drying of the lumber, and the release of sap. Here’s a reminder to check the steel plates for separation or loosening. Disclaimer Read More
The Importance of Crawlspace Ventilation
The decay (and the foot step through the floor in the featured photo) seen here is characteristic of damage from prolonged exposure to excessive moisture. The severity of the decay indicates that the problem has been progressing over a period… Read More
Case Study: A Sagging Roof
The roof of this barn exhibits a sag (featured photo). The roof is framed with rafters (Figure 1). The rafter ties are set very high to allow clearance for interior activities; however, this prevents the ties from adequately restraining the… Read More